Portable steam and shower bath house



WER BATH HOUSE.

Patented Oct. 20, 1896.

UNITED STATES HIRAM E.

PATENT OFFICE.

\VYGKOFF, OF SILVER CREEK, NElV YORK.

PORTABLE STEAM AND SHOWER BATH HOUSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,808, dated October 20, 1896.

application filed June 4, 1896. $eria1 N- 594,313l (N0 model.)

' exactdescription of said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for taking steam-baths, and has particular reference.

to that class of such apparatus constructed so as to be folded up when not in use, in order that it may be readily transported or be carried from one room to another of a house and setup and used therein.

The object of this invention is the production of an improved apparatus of this type, one which when set up for use cannot become accidentally collapsed, and will remain closed at all points regardless of movements therein by the user.

Further objects of the invention are the production of such bathing apparatus which will enable the user to regulate or control the steaming apparatus, which is located outside of the closet, without leaving the latter.

To these ends the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, a portion of the flexible walls and of the frame being broken out to more clearly indicate the interior construction. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of one wall of the closet when folded. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view in detail of one of the joints of the same. Fig. lrepresents a detail of one of the latches for connecting the ends of the horizontal parts of the frame to the vertical post.

Similar reference-characters indicate the same parts in all of the views.

The frame is composed of four vertical posts a, each of said posts having at its bottom and at its top a casting a, of malleable iron, having lugs a Pivoted on pins a car ried by said lugs are cross-braces b, the two cross-braces being connected to each post so as to fold against or to be turned to a horizontal position from the same side of the post a. The free end of each brace h is provided with a recess 1), and a metal plate I) is secured to the end of the brace over said recess and is provided with a slot 19 the sides of said slot diverging at one end, as shown. A headed stud 0, such as a screw, is secured in the side of each vertical post in such position thatits head will be received in the recess Z2 and its shank in the slot 15 of the cross-brace when the latter is turned into a horizontal position from the next post. A catch (1-, such as an ordinary spring-latch, is secured to the end of each cross-brace and is adapted to entera recess d, formed in the vertical post, such recess being located in such position as to receive the catch when the stud cis at the end of the slot 19 This frame is provided with a flexible covering 6, of rubber cloth, canvas, or other suitable moisture-proof fabric, said fabric inclosing all portions of the frame excepting the bottom and being fastened only to the vertical posts, whereby when the cross-braces are folded against the vertical posts the covering is folded between the posts. One wall of the covering is provided with a door f, consisting of a piece of the flexible material, preferably arranged so that its edges overlap the edges around the opening in the wall. The top and bottom and one vertical edge of the door are provided with loops f, adapted to engage suitable buttons or equivalent devices f attached to the covering around the opening, the construction being such that the door may be readily closed tightly by a person inside of the closet, the flexibility of the door permitting the hand of the occupant of the closet to be passed out of the edges, so as to engage the loops with the buttons.

In the top or the roof of the closet g represents a small window, which may consist of a loose sheet of glass resting over an opening in said roof, this construction enabling the occupant to move the glass to one side to ventilate the closet when desired. I may use a sheet of transparent celluloid instead of glass.

7t and h indicate small flaps or doors secured in a manner similar to the doorf over small openings in one side or wall of closet, the upper door It enabling the occupant to pass his hand out to regulate the steam supply of the steaming apparatus, presently de scribed, while the lower door 71, is to give convenient access to the device for regulating the flame of the burner.

t represents a stove, preferably an oil-stove, which may be of any preferred type, and i represents a small boiler,which also may be of any preferred style and dimensions, and 1? indicates a steam-pipe having a valve 2' said steam-pipe leading from the boiler to the lower part of the closet. A suitable glass water-gage is employed, as at 'i.

70 represents a shallow pan, preferably of a size slightly larger than the cross-section of the closet, which pan may rest directly upon the floor of the room in which the closet may be placed, the corner-posts of the frame resting within the corners of the pan. A grating 7r, preferably of wood, rests in the pan and forms the floor for the bather. The pan 70 preferably rests upon a base k and a suitable cook or faucet may be employed to enable water to be drawn from the pan.

Secured to the inside of one of the vertical posts of the frame is a pipe Z, leading through the roof of the closet and having a reservoir Z for water at its upper end and a sprinkler 1, at its lower end to enable the occupant of the closet to take a shower-bath when desired. Thus the pipe 1 serves both as a support for the reservoir and a conduit for water. A pipe Z of rubber tubing, conveys steam from the boiler t" to the reservoirl to warm the water in the latter.

This apparatus may be set up and used in any room of a house, whether carpeted or not, the pan It preventing the steam condensation and perspiration from reaching the carpet.

If desired, the closet may contain a suitable seat or stool for the user and a suitable closed rcceptable, such as a telescope valise. for clothing.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A portable steam-bath closet, comprising in its construction, a frame composed of four vertical posts, each having cross-braces pivotally connected to it, and also having means for engaging the free ends of the braces of an adjacent post, and fastening means having the operative movements confined to the interior of the closet, and a flexible moisture-proof covering for the top and sides of the frame, said covering being pcrmanently secured to the said vertical posts.

2. In a steam-bath apparatus, the combination with the vertical posts at having the cross-braces b pivoted thereto on one side. and recesses d in another side, of springcatches (Z carried by the outer ends and adapted to engage the recesses d and a flexible covering permanently connected to the posts a, substantially as described.

In a steam-bath apparatus, the combination with the vertical posts a, having the headed studs 6 and the recesses d, of the cross-braces b pivoted to the posts a and provided with slotted plates 12 and catches (Z, adapted to engage the said studs and recesses, and a flexible covering permanently secured to the posts a, substantially as described.

l. In a steam-bath apparatus, the combination with the folding closet having the reservoir Z and sprinkler V, of the boiler 6 having steam-pipe 2' leading to the lower part of the closet, and the steam-pipe Z connected with the reservoir 5, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HIRAM E. WYOKOFF.

W'itnesses:

JOHN B. WEBSTER, WILLIAMS. TULCOTT. 

